A Guide to Automated Glass Doors
Safety, security and simplicity at the touch of a button…
What are automated glass doors?
Automated and electronic doors have become more than just a luxury – they’re fast becoming a standard part of modern, high-spec homes. Whether you’re opening up an entire wall of glass or simply want smarter security and access, automation offers a seamless blend of style, performance and control.
At Cotswold Windows, we work with industry-leading systems like Sky-Frame and MHB, which integrate beautifully with smart home technology while delivering safety, security and simplicity. But what does automation really involve? And how can it be built into your glazing project from day one? Here’s our expert guide.
Easy Operation for Oversized Glazing
One of the most common reasons our clients choose automation is ease of use – particularly when working with very large or heavy sliding doors. As beautiful as oversized glass is, it can be cumbersome to move manually, especially when panes weigh several hundred kilos each. With electronic systems, like Sky-Frame’s own motorised system, automation takes all the effort out of daily use. This was used to great effect to operate the 12-metre wide sliding glass doors at Gable House in Cheltenham, creating a seamless connection between inside and out.
- Sky-Frame Drive: This elecrionic motor is discreetly mounted in the top of the door to provide a smooth, silent movement. Even a door weighing up to one tonne per pane can open and close effortlessly at the push of a button. Doors can be configured to slide in multiple directions or sequences depending on your preference.
- Sky-Frame Touch: this discreet function is integrated into the locking handle to offer an unobtrusive way to open and close sliding windows. Entire systems can be opened, closed or stopped at any point by applying gentle pressure on the rocker switch. The Touch control button can be retrofitted, and is available in all anodised and powder coated variants.
Smart Home Integration & Position Monitoring
Glazing is becoming increasingly popular in high-spec homes, but the more windows and doors a property has, the more there is to keep an eye on. Position monitoring gives homeowners full visibility and control over their home environment from one easy vantage point. Both Sky-Frame and MHB doors can be equipped with position sensors that detect:
- Whether a door is open or closed.
- Whether the handle is locked or unlocked.
- Whether there has been any glass breakage or tampering.
These sensors can be connected to your smart home automation or security system, allowing you to check individual door status from a phone, tablet, or building management system.
Position monitoring makes it easy to detect security issues, but it also has other benefits:
- If your doors are linked to air conditioning, the system can shut off when a door is opened, avoiding wasted energy.
- If the house is set to “away” mode, you can receive alerts if a door is unlocked or a window is tampered with.
- You can integrate position monitoring with lighting, heating, or even curtains and blinds for a fully responsive environment.
Advanced Security Features
Security is understandably a top concern in any high-value property, especially those with multiple glass doors and windows. Position monitoring can be combined with Sky-Frame Guard technology to give homeowners an added layer of reassurance:
- Glass-break sensors detect impact and vibration, and can trigger a home alarm system if a panel is broken or disturbed.
- These sensors can be integrated into systems that notify you, your monitoring service or even the police depending on how your property is set up.
- Position monitoring can be combined with handle detection, so you’ll know if a door is physically shut but left unlocked – a surprisingly common occurrence.
- Adding a glass door smart lock allows you to remotely lock and unlock your doors.
Together, these features turn your doors and windows into intelligent security elements that actively protect your home.
Built-In Safety Mechanisms
With any automated system, especially those used in homes with children or pets, safety is non-negotiable.
Sky-Frame doors come with built-in safety stop mechanisms. If a moving panel encounters any resistance (such as someone standing in the opening), the door will immediately stop and reverse. This minimises the risk of injury and ensures a reassuring level of control.
In line with safety regulations, automated doors must be operated ‘within sight’, meaning the person controlling the door can see it in motion. This ensures that systems are used responsibly, and further enhances safety.
Clever Access Control
Another key part of automation is how you access your property, especially when you want both security and ease of use. We have been working on a bespoke Sky-Frame automated sliding glass doors system at Bristol Cathedral Cafe that open and close automatically as visitors come and go.
As well as automatic opening and closing, Sky-Frame and MHB both offer options for:
- Keyless entry via Bluetooth handles, where a simple press opens the door.
- Integration with technology such as fingerprint readers, retina scanners, voice activation, keypads or smartphone apps.
Seamless Design from the Start
Automation shouldn’t be an add-on – it should be part of the design conversation from day one. At Cotswold Windows, we work closely with homeowners, architects and builders to ensure that automated systems are factored into quotes, technical drawings and specifications at the earliest stage. Position monitoring and smart controls can then be planned to suit your wider home automation setup.
Discover the benefit of automated glass doors
From intuitive, whisper-quiet sliding doors to robust security monitoring and intelligent automation, today’s door systems offer far more than just a way in and out – they help you create an environment that’s secure, seamless, and effortlessly stylish.
If you want to include automation in your project, talk to our team, and we’ll help you build it into your specification – for a smarter, safer and more beautiful home.
